USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 12
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In March, 1881, in Peoria county, Mr. Hines was united in marriage to Miss Laura A. Pierce of this county, a daughter of Hiram H. and Harriet (Lockwood) Pierce, the latter a native of the state of New York. Her father belonged to one of the early families of this part of the state and for a long period was a repre- sentative of industrial interests, conducting a brick manufacturing plant. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hines were born five children, of whom three are yet living, namely: Mrs. Belle Moore, of Peoria; W. C., residing in Richwood township : and Harrison, who is a resident farmer of Brimfield township. The parents are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Hines is a prominent Mason. He belongs to the blue lodge and the chapter, has attained the Knight Templar degree in the commandery and the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite. In his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft and holds to the teachings con- cerning the universal brotherhood of mankind. He is at all times approachable and genial and wishes to be ranked by his genuine worth rather than by any false standards.
HENRY MANSFIELD, JR.
The identification of Henry Mansfield, now senior member of the law firm of Mansfield, Cowan & Boulware, with the legal fraternity of Peoria dates from 1888. Mr. Mansfield was born in Peoria, March 4, 1864, the son of Henry and Isabelle F. Mansfield. The father came to Peoria in 1839 and was one of the first settles here. His business was that of a druggist and soon after settling in Peoria he formed a partnership with Dr. N. S. Tucker, which relationship was continued until shortly after the close of the Civil war, when the firm sold out and Mr. Mansfield invested a portion of his capital in real estate and also did a considerable loan business. After selling the drug store he confined his atten- tion to looking after his holdings, which under his wise management accumu- lated so that at the time of his death in 1893, when he attained the age of seventy-three years, he was in affluent circumstances. His remains were laid to rest in Springdale cemetery. The mother survives and occupies the old home- stead at the corner of Perry street and Hamilton boulevard. Peoria. The Mans- field family, which is of English extraction, was founded in the new world at a very early day and comprises eleven generations in America.
In the public schools of Peoria Henry Mansfield secured his primary educa- tion, later entering the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington, Virginia, from which he was graduated in 1886. He then became a student in the law de- partment of the University of Virginia, pursuing his studies in that institution for two years. In 1888 he was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of Illinois and immediately began the practice of his profession in Peoria. After a short time, however, he went to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he labored in his chosen profession for five years. In 1894 he returned to Peoria and has since
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been continuously engaged in the practice of his profession in this city, where he . is meeting with gratifying success. In January, 1910, Mr. Mansfield entered into partnership with David J. Cowan, former state's attorney of Johnson county, and Jefferson R. Boulware, former state representative from Peoria county, forming the law firm of Mansfield, Cowan & Boulware. Mr. Mansfield is a member of the Peoria and the State Bar Associations, being active in his con- nection therewith.
On March 4, 1909, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mansfield to Miss Elizabeth J. Bruninga, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Bruninga. Mr. Mansfield gives his political adherence to the democratic party and he has taken an active in- terest in the promotion of those principles and policies for which democracy stands. In 1897 he was appointed assistant city attorney and held that position until December. 1901. In April of the succeeding year he was elected city attor- ney and satisfactorily filled that position for two years. He was appointed as special counsel by the mayor and the city council of Peoria to conduct the litiga- tion pending at the time of his appointment between the city of Peoria and the Peoria Gas Light & Coke Company. As a result of this litigation the price of gas to consumers was reduced to ninety cents per thousand cubic feet. In 1906 he was appointed corporation counsel of the city of Peoria, a position which he held for three years.
J. M. BELCK.
J. M. Belck, who has been practically a lifelong resident of Peoria, is now the president of The B. F. Adams Company, dealers in farm implements, seeds, automobiles, etc., at Nos. 114-116-118 South Washington street. This enter- prise owes its development and prosperity in no small measure to the efforts of him who stands at its head, for Mr. Belck is a farsighted, sagacious and pro- gressive business man, whose plans are carefully formulated and promptly ex- ecuted.
He was born near Mansfield, Ohio, in 1851, a son of Martin Belck, a har- ness maker who came to Peoria with his family during the infancy of his son, J. M. Belck. For many years the father was engaged in the harness-making business in Peoria in connection with H. M. Frederick under the firm style of Frederick & Company, this being one of the early business concerns of the city. The father died about the time his son J. M. Belck attained his majority but the mother had passed away while he was a schoolboy. His education was ac- quired in the public schools and in the high school when it was located at the old state house square. He likewise attended Brown's Business College and thus became well equipped for the practical and responsible duties which have devolved upon him in his later years.
His identification with his present business dates from 1886, at which time he secured the position of bookkeeper and clerk with The George M. Moore Company. Later the business was reorganized under the name of the Peoria Implement Company, in which B. F. Adams became interested in 1894. The business, however, was conducted under the old style until 1907, when it was incorporated under the name of The B. F. Adams Company, with J. M. Belck as the president and manager. In the meantime he had continuously worked his way upward, acquainting himself with the various branches of the business, his powers growing through exercise. The business is conducted at No. 116- 118 South Washington street, which is probably the oldest stand for an imple- ment concern in Peoria. They occupy the entire building, which is three stories in height, has a frontage of thirty-four feet and a depth of one hundred and seventy-two feet. They also occupy the entire two-story building at 114 South Washington street, which is twenty-four by one hundred and seventy-two feet.
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They are extensive dealers in farm implements and yet their largest trade is in the jobbing of seeds. In that connection they have built up a business of mam- moth proportions and their output covers a wide territory. The business methods of the house are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, for at all times their interests have conformed to a high standard of commercial ethics.
Mr. Belck was married in 1884 to Miss Alice Couch at Camp Point, Indiana. The social phases of his life are further represented in his connection with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter, council, commandery and the Mystic Shrine. He is in thorough sympathy with the purposes and teachings of the craft. Moreover, he is a member of the Peoria Association of Commerce and is interested in its various projects for the welfare of the city, its adornment, improvement and business development. Mr. Belck is a typical business man of the present day, alert, enterprising, prompt and notably reliable. He early realized the truth of the old adage that "honesty is the best policy" and it has been through the employment of progressive, reli- able methods that he has gained the presidency of one of the important com- mercial concerns of the city.
ROSS S. WALLACE.
The popular and efficient manager of the Peoria Gas & Electric Company, with offices at No. 316 Jefferson street, is Ross S. Wallace, who has filled that position with this company since 1908. He came to Peoria in 1900 and ob- tained the position of chiet engineer for the concern of which he is now serving as general manager. His ability soon won him promotion and at the end of thiee years he was made department superintendent and later general superintendent. Mr. Wallace was born in Chatsworth, Illinois, December 9, 1869, the son of Robert R. and Louise (Strawn) Wallace. The father is now a practicing at- torney at Pontiac, Illinois, where he has followed his profession for a number of years. Ile is a veteran of the Civil war, serving four years and retiring with the rank of captain. He has long been associated with the professional and political affairs of Livingston county, having for twenty years filled the position of county judge. The Wallace family came originally from the north of Ire- land, its first representatives emigrating to the new world in or about 1750. They participated in the Revolutionary war and representatives of the family on the maternal side were identified with the "boys of '76."
Ross S. Wallace received his preliminary education in the public and high schools of Pontiac and later entered the University of Illinois at Urbana, being graduated from the mechanical engineering department of that institution in 1891 with the degree of B. S. After his graduation he gave his entire atten- tion to mechanical engineering and was employed at this work in various cities previous to settling in Peoria in 1900, when he became chief engineer of the Peoria Gas & Electric Company, of which company he is now filling the posi- tions of second vice president and general manager. He is also serving as vice president of the Citizens' Gas & Electric Company of Pekin, Illinois, and holds the same position with the Washington Light & Power Company of Washington, Illinois. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and the National Electric Light Association.
On June 1, 1898, Mr. Wallace was married to Miss Jessie Waring, a daugh- ter of E. S. and Helen Waring. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, Margaret and Helen, both of whom are attending the White school. In his political faith Mr. Wallace adheres to the principles of the re- publican party. He is a member of the Creve Coeur Club, the Peoria Country
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Club and the Kickapoo Golf Club. In his religious associations he is a member of and deacon in the First Presbyterian church. The family reside at No. 216 North street and here their many friends are assured of a cordial greeting. Possessing unusual ability, Mr. Wallace has by careful education, training and experience acquired a broad knowledge along electrical and engineering lines and is universally respected and admired for his ability and business capability.
ABRAHAM P. COLVIN.
Abraham P. Colvin, treasurer and cashier of the Peoria Gas & Electric Com- pany, with offices at 316 Jefferson street, has been with this concern since 1899 in the capacity of cashier but since 1909 has also filled the office of treasurer. He was born at Maysville, Kentucky, October 29, 1856, a son of William and Martha Ann (Crowell) Colvin. The Colvin family has been established in America for many generations, the ancestry being easily traced to colonial days. The father for many years conducted a paint and decorating establishment at Maysville, where most of his life was spent. He was a stanch supporter of the democratic party, although never becoming a politician in the office-seeking sense of the term. His death occurred in 1879, when he was fifty-three years of age. His wife survived him for many years, passing away on the 28th of April, 1911, at the age of eighty-three years, and both were buried at Maysville.
Abraham P. Colvin was reared and received his education in the city and state of his nativity. Putting aside his text-books at the early age of thirteen, however, he went to work as a clerk in a book and stationery house at Mays- ville and with various firms handling the same line continued in that business until 1898. He first came to Peoria in 1882 and remained a short time, re- turning later to Kentucky. In 1897 he settled permanently in this city since which time he has made this his home. Two years later, in 1899, he became connected with the Peoria Gas & Electric Company as its cashier, a position which he has since held. Owing to his ability and the tact shown in the hand- ling of his official duties he was ten years later given the additional responsi- bility of treasurer of the company, retaining also the cashiership which he had so long held.
Mr. Colvin was married, in Peoria, September 18, 1895, to Miss Anna Rulon, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Rulon, and they reside at 478 North Park- side Drive in a beautiful modern home which he erected in 1909. The business career of Mr. Colvin has been distinguished from the beginning by those es- sential traits of integrity, strict attendance to business and ambition, without which no young man makes a success in life or rises in the esteem and respect of his fellows. In the responsible positions which he has held he has by his efficiency made himself almost indispensable and at the same time has extended his acquaintance in business and social circles until he is now well known throughout the city where he has the confidence and respect of all who know him.
FREDERICK A. LAMMERS.
Although many years have passed since Frederick A. Lammers was called to his final rest, he is yet remembered as a progressive, prominent business man of Peoria and one whose labors contributed to the material development of the city. He was here born in 1853, his parents being Henry and Sophia Lam- mers, who had come to Peoria the previous year from Hanover, Germany, and resided in this city until called to their final rest. Their son Frederick A. Lam-
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mers pursued his early education in St. Joseph's school of Peoria and afterward attended Cole's Business College and the Pio Nono College at Milwaukee, Wis- consin. For an extended period he was connected with the grocery business, becoming the leading grocer in the southern part of Peoria. He conducted his store in the building at the corner of Cedar and Adams streets, which had been built by his father, Henry Lammers. He carried a large and well selected line of staple and fancy groceries and his straightforward business methods, his reasonable prices and his earnest desire to please his patrons secured to him a very gratifying trade, from which he annually derived a good profit. About two years prior to his death he sold his grocery business to his brother Henry and turned his attention to the furniture trade, establishing the store which is now conducted under the name of the Banner Furniture Company at No. 1411 South Adams street. Sound judgment guided his activities and his energy en- abled him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path. Fle met competition by straightforward methods and made for himself a most credit- able name in business circles. Aside from his mercantile interests he was a stockholder in the German Fire Insurance Company of Peoria.
In St. Joseph's German Catholic church of Peoria Mr. Lammers was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth M. Rubel, of Chillicothe, Ohio, and unto them were born three daughters, Lillian Vera, Martha Henrietta and Maria Sophia, all yet liv- ing at home with their mother at No. 1029 North Madison avenue. In his political views Mr. Lammers was a democrat and labored earnestly and effect- ively for the welfare and growth of his party. In April, 1887, he was elected township assessor for Peoria township but had little desire for public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business interests. Something of the nature of his recreation is indicated in the fact that he was a member 'of the Peoria Gun Club and the Peoria Rifle Club. He held membership in St. Joseph's German Catholic church and he belonged to St. Joseph's Benevolent Society and the Knights of St. George. There are no unusual or spectacular features in his life record but it is none the less valuable and none the less essential, for his history contains many lessons that may well be learned by those who seek to win honorable success and who never neglect duty but find in each day's tasks the courage and inspiration for the labors of the succeeding day.
JOHN C. RAMBO.
John C. Rambo is the secretary of the Commercial Travelers' Loan and Homestead Association, with which he has been connected continuously since November, 1894, serving for fourteen years as its secretary. He came to this city in the previous July and has maintained a place among the prominent rep- resentatives of financial and business interests here, proving his worth in every connection and manifesting his ability in carefully formulated plans for the growth of the business of which he is a leading executive officer.
Mr. Rambo was born upon a farm near Keokuk, Iowa, October 7, 1868, and is the son of H. C. and Isabel Rambo, who were agriculturists of that part of the state. The son early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He worked in the fields during the summer months and when educational opportunities offered, attended the country schools and finally became a high-school student at Farmington, Iowa. Later he attended the Baptist College at Pella, lowa, and in his broad and liberal education laid the foundation for his later success. He also pursued a course in Pierce's Business College in Keokuk, Iowa, and for a time was a teacher in that institution. He then taught in a business college in Fairfield, Iowa, and became acquainted with
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the methods pursued in banking circles while acting as cashier and bookkeeper in a bank in Farmington, Iowa. On leaving that position he came to Peoria, where he arrived in July, 1894, and in the following November he entered upon his present connection with the Commercial Travelers' Loan and Homestead Association. His efforts have been a feature in the continued growth and pros- perity of the business. On the 30th of June, 1911, the forty-fifth semi-annual statement of the association was issued, indicating the continuous growth and substantial condition of the association at the present time. Its assets on the Ist of July, 1900, were one hundred and seventy-one thousand, six hundred and thirty-two dollars, and on the Ist of July, 1911, were four hundred and ninety thousand, one hundred and eighty-seven dollars.
In 1892 Mr. Rambo was united in marriage to Miss Matie Eddy, of Farm- ington, Iowa. They have gained many friends during the period of their res- idence in Peoria and are widely and favorably known. They hold membership in the First Baptist church and in its work and kindred interests take an active and helpful part. Mr. Rambo is the president of the Peoria County Sunday School Association, is superintendent of the Olive Street Mission Sunday School and is a trustee of the First Baptist church. While he has closely confined his efforts and attention to business, he has never allowed this to preclude his active participation in efforts for the moral uplift of the race and his work in behalf of the church and Sunday School has been effective, beneficial and far reaching.
EDWARD W. BURDICK.
Among the men whose business activities have contributed to public progress as well as to individual prosperity, Edward W. Burdick was numbered. He lived a quiet, uneventful life if judged by some standards, and yet his years were fraught with usefulness, and his labors resulted largely for the benefit of others. His friends, therefore-and they were many-came to regard him as one of the leading residents of his community, and rejoiced in the success which enabled him in his later years to live retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He was born on the 16th of January, 1826, and was therefore seventy-eight years of age when he passed away November II, 1904. His birthplace was in Allegany county, New York, and his parents were Jabez and Abigail (Millard) Burdick, both of whom were natives of Berlin, Rensselaer county, New York. Upon the father's farm the boy was reared. He early became acquainted with the best method of tilling the soil and caring for the crops, and when not busy with the work of the fields he attended the district school. After attaining his majority he came west, settling first in Farmington, Fulton county, Illinois. There he became identified with agricultural pursuits, tilling the soil in that locality until 1862 when he sold his property there and removed to Peoria county, settling in Akron town- ship. There he successfully followed farming for many years, converting his land into rich and productive fields from which he annually gathered rich and abundant harvests. His methods were of a most practical character that were based upon modern scientific principles. Moreover, he owned a third interest in the West Hallock Cheese Factory, one of the largest concerns of the kind in this part of the country, its extensive output annually returning to its owners a very substantial and gratifying income. As the years passed and success rewarded his labors Mr. Burdick felt he was justified in putting aside the more active duties of life, and during his last years lived retired, his financial resources being sufficient to supply him with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. In earlier years he had practiced frugality and economy, and his careful expeditures and judicious investments constituted the foundation upon which his fortunes were built.
MR. AND MRS. E. W. BURDICK
THE NEW YO PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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At Farmington, on the 12th of April, 1852, Mr. Burdick was married to Miss Elizabeth Saunders, a native of Berlin, New York, who died on the 29th of Janu- ary, 1882. Mr. Burdick was again married on the 29th of November, 1888, his second union being with Mrs. Ophelia Partridge, a daughter of Reuben and Delight ( Palmer ) Brown, and the widow of Albert Partridge who died November 4, 1882. Her parents were natives of Rhode Island, and upon removing west- ward settled first in Illinois but afterward went to Wisconsin. Mrs. Burdick was the third in a family of four children and was born in Ellisburg, New York, March 18, 1828. Although she is now eighty-four years of age she enjoys re- markably good health and is splendidly preserved both physically and mentally. She is a member of the Seventh Day Baptist church to which Mr. Burdick also made them reach out a helping hand to those in need of a parental roof and lives. They never had any children of their own, but their kindness of heart made them reach out a helping hand to those in need of a parental roof and protection. They reared five children to whom they gave their name, these being Joseph, Charles, Dorcus E., Lillie J., and Cora A. Burdick. Dorcus became the wife of William Bavington, who is now deceased. They had one child, Betsy Bavington. Cora A. became the wife of Frank Rotterman and died leaving one child, Francis Rotterman. By her first marriage Mrs. Burdick had four children, but the eldest, James H., and the youngest, Mary, are now deceased. Harvey E. Partridge is married and has two children, William and Ida, the latter being the wife of Jesse Scholes and the mother of one child, Ida Scholes. Charles A. Part- ridge is married and has three children, Albert, Robert and Eugene. Mrs. Bur- dick also has two great-grandchildren, Ruth and Lulu Partridge.
In his political views Mr. Burdick was ever an earnest republican, stanchly advocating the principles of the party, although he did not seek the rewards of office. He was always actively interested in the welfare of his community and no other man of the community did more in developing the county. For more than forty years he resided in Peoria county and gained for himself an enviable reputation as an agriculturist and as a citizen. It has been said, "Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success," and judged in this way Mr. Burdick was a most successful man. Giving homes to five orphan children would alone entitle him to distinction as one of the world's benefactors. In other ways too he lived out a life of useful- ness and his good deeds will long be remembered and cause his memory to be honored.
NEWTON MEREDITH LOVE.
In presenting to the public the representative men of the city of Peoria, and the state of Illinois, who have by a superior force of character and energy to- gether with a combination of ripe qualities of ability and excellency, made themselves conspicuous and commanding in private and public life, we have no example more fit to present, and one more worthy a place in this volume than Newton Meredith Love. Not only does he rise above the standard of his line of business, but he also possesses in a high degree the excellences of human nature that make men worthy of regard among their fellows. He is a high- minded and liberal business man ; one who is keenly alive to all the varying re- quirements of trade, and one of those who conduct operations of the most ex- tended and weighty character and who, above all others, have succeeded in making Peoria a great commercial center.
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